While the iPad may be primarily a content consumption device, there are a growing number of apps which turn this tablet into something which notebook computers have tried (and failed at) or years…to be a valid replacement for a basic notebook and pen for taking notes.
If you add a stylus to the iPad, you have what is in effect a standard notebook (albeit a bit sloppier to use…at first), but you also have the advantages of being able to store it digitally, to share (digitally), to add in audio, and to backup across any other devices you may have… About the only potential competitor might be the Livescribe digital pen (with their proprietary paper).
Make your iPad A True Writing Tool with These Notebook Apps
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/ipad-true-writing-tool-notebook-apps
For me, the iPad is the ultimate device for paperless reading, writing, and photo viewing. The comfortable viewing size of the iPad makes it a perfect electronic notebook for reading eBooks, PDFs, typing short emails, and viewing lots of photos. There are also some very good apps that actually allow you to use the iPad like a notepad.
Bamboo Paper
If you want to test out how it feels to hand write on your iPad, the makers of Wacom tablets have produced Bamboo Paper, specifically designed for the iPad.
The best way to hand write on the iPad is using what is called a Stylus pen, but I don’t recommend going and buying one until you get a feel for using a handwriting notebook app. In the above screenshot, I quickly wrote using my index finger. Stylus pens help with a little more precise handwriting, but finger writing works just fine when you don’t have a pen nearby.
Bamboo is beautifully designed and functionally easy to use. When you launch the app, it has the look of one of those Moleskin notebooks.
Penultimate
One of the handwriting apps I’ve been using for quite some time is Penultimate ($1.99). It contains all the features of Bamboo Paper, but much, much more.
You can create as many notebooks as you like. In addition to the three types of papers, you can order for .99 cents packets of other types of papers for writing, planners, blank music sheets, graphic designing, and games like Hangman.
Noteshelf
For a few dollars more, Noteshelf ($4.99) probably provides the fullest features out of all the notebooks reviewed.
Noteshelf contains everything found in Bamboo and Penultimate, with additional features allowing you to export pages and notebooks to Dropbox and Evernote. Noteshelf also allows you to import and re-size photos in your notebook pages.
Which notebook app you choose for your iPad will largely be based on how much you prefer handwriting on your iPad as opposed to typing. You might start off with the free Bamboo app and if you see yourself using it a lot step up to one of the commercial paid apps. Also, you will need to shop around for a Stylus Pen. They cost between a few dollars and upwards to $35. Start with the low priced ones that you can find on Amazon.
WritePad for iPad Updated: Adds New Dictionary Choices and More
http://ipadinsight.com/ipad-apps/writepad-for-ipad-updated
WritePad for iPad – the versatile and powerful handwriting recognition and note-taking app – has been updated this week, to Version 5.2.
Notable additions in the update include the ability to switch between colorful US English and colorful UK English main dictionaries and the inclusion of a US Medical Dictionary. Here’s the full change list:
1. US Medical Dictionary containing over 100K medical terms and abbreviations and used for handwriting recognition, spelling, and autocomplete has been added as in-app purchase for $4.99. You can purchase the dictionary, by selecting the US Medical dictionary in WritePad Options.
2. Users can switch now between US English and UK English main dictionaries for recognizer, spelling, and autocomplete features. By default, the dictionary is selected depending on current locale.
3. Double tap on the phone number embedded in WritePad document to open a corresponding contact or create a new contact.
4. If the cursor is within a word representing a phone number or an email address, select Contact from the touch-and-hold menu to find a corresponding contact or create a new one.
5. To rename the current document, touch WritePad title containing document name. Documents can also be renamed and moved to another folder using the My Documents view.
6. Improved Styles feature allows for much bigger font size. It is now possible to rename custom styles.
Here’s an App Store link for WritePad for iPad; it’s priced at $9.99.
